For relatives who don't see each other very often, a family reunion provides a chance to share stories and learn about what's been happening in each other's lives since they last spoke. But for those who aren't as familiar with the whole family tree, or for newcomers who have recently joined the family, reunions can be an overwhelming puzzle of strange names and faces. Fun and simple icebreakers can go a long way toward ensuring that everyone enjoys the gathering while keeping the focus on family genealogy and history.
Family Origin
Create an instant focal point by taping a huge piece of paper or poster board to a wall. Sketch a rough family tree, including people's names but nothing else. As people arrive, invite them to add their own embellishments to their names - sketches, doodles, words, or anything else they'd like.
You can build the tree as simple or complicated as you'd like:
Polaroid photos can be taken as people walk in, and attached to the tree next to their names Colored markers, pens, stickers, or even paints can be provided to decorate the tree Use your imagination and invite everyone to add something and make the tree as unique as your family
Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a great work out for keeping adults and children occupied - particularly if you make the clues related to the family, or require that participants answer questions about other guests. Using this game, younger generation will assist to their elders to solve riddles about family history and genealogy.It also promotes mingling among people who may not know each other well, serving as a great icebreaker and bonding exercise.
Mystery Pictures, Papers, and Phenomena
Everybody has some stuff in the attic or spare room, or maybe a photo album that has something to do with your family's history... you're just not sure what. When sending invitations for the family reunion, ask everyone to bring along objects, photos, documents, trinkets, or even bits of stories about the past that are missing key facts. You can prepare a table to display these items, or present them as a show-and-tell to see who knows the secret behind Aunt Bessie's odd hat, or who the two children are in the photograph dated 1912. This is a fun, simple, and informative way to engage people in their own family history.
Make a Time Capsule
Building a time capsule together unites guests and creates a sense of connectedness between the past and the future. Invite people to recall things about the past and write them down on scrapbook pages that will be collected and saved for future use. Old photos or pictures taken at the family reunion can be mixed with stories and histories to make a time capsule that you can open at your next gathering. Make the reunion even more memorable by recording audio memories to share.
Family Origin
Create an instant focal point by taping a huge piece of paper or poster board to a wall. Sketch a rough family tree, including people's names but nothing else. As people arrive, invite them to add their own embellishments to their names - sketches, doodles, words, or anything else they'd like.
You can build the tree as simple or complicated as you'd like:
Polaroid photos can be taken as people walk in, and attached to the tree next to their names Colored markers, pens, stickers, or even paints can be provided to decorate the tree Use your imagination and invite everyone to add something and make the tree as unique as your family
Scavenger Hunt
A scavenger hunt is a great work out for keeping adults and children occupied - particularly if you make the clues related to the family, or require that participants answer questions about other guests. Using this game, younger generation will assist to their elders to solve riddles about family history and genealogy.It also promotes mingling among people who may not know each other well, serving as a great icebreaker and bonding exercise.
Mystery Pictures, Papers, and Phenomena
Everybody has some stuff in the attic or spare room, or maybe a photo album that has something to do with your family's history... you're just not sure what. When sending invitations for the family reunion, ask everyone to bring along objects, photos, documents, trinkets, or even bits of stories about the past that are missing key facts. You can prepare a table to display these items, or present them as a show-and-tell to see who knows the secret behind Aunt Bessie's odd hat, or who the two children are in the photograph dated 1912. This is a fun, simple, and informative way to engage people in their own family history.
Make a Time Capsule
Building a time capsule together unites guests and creates a sense of connectedness between the past and the future. Invite people to recall things about the past and write them down on scrapbook pages that will be collected and saved for future use. Old photos or pictures taken at the family reunion can be mixed with stories and histories to make a time capsule that you can open at your next gathering. Make the reunion even more memorable by recording audio memories to share.
About the Author:
Want to have fun and memorable family reunion? Create an Icebreaker now and plenty of activities! For more free tips visit now the Family Reunion Zone
